5 Bands you NEED to watch at Download Festival 2013

5 Bands you NEED to watch at Download Festival 2013!

   The UK Metal event of the year is fast approaching. Nothing can stop the Metal missile that is heading straight for Donington Park on June 14-16 2013. It is sure to go off with one hell of a bang. With a line up of truly amazing bands stretching the generations and more choice of what to watch than on TV these days, there is going to be something for everyone. Well everyone that loves being hit by wave after wave of Metal, similar to being hit by 666 consecutive trains that is. 

   Don't believe me? well if your a straight out denim and leather wearing Heavy Metal fan, then your in for a treat! On Friday you will get a chance to witness legends Uriah Heep. On Saturday, UFO will be taking on the main stage to get the crowd sufficiently thirsty for the real Heavy highlight of the weekend. The Saturday night headliner, Iron Maiden performing their iconic "Maiden England" set list. Not your cup of tea? Well if your particularly into "Viking Metal", then Sunday is your day as bearded invaders Amon Amarth take over the Second stage. If skinny jeans and fringes over one eye is your idea of fashion, then have no fear! You'll almost certainly be in search for Metalcore, of which Download has in bucket loads. With the likes of Asking Alexandria, Architects, Motionless In White and Bury Tomorrow, you shall be exposed higher levels of breakdowns and guttural growls than what your doctor would advise is good for you. 

   With so many bands on one line up, your guaranteed to discover some true gems. Maybe you will discover your new favorite band? Well with so many stages and so many bands, its impossible to watch them all. So here is a short list from the line up SO FAR, of some of the bands you may not have seen among the sea of words on the line up poster, that are definitely worth watching. The only thing you need to do (besides have a ticket and travel, as well as a raging hunger for Metal) is get your wellies and your camera, and take your pick from the list.

1:Silent Screams 

Saturday 15th, Red Bull stage

   A few years ago the Metal world thought Deathcore was doomed to become extinct. With the last great Deathcore bands such as Whitechapel and Suicide Silence, supposedly destined for drastic change or collapse. Those who thought that are of course very, very wrong. The truth is in fact quite the opposite. A whole new wave of Deathcore bands has sprung up out of nowhere and begun conquering the Metal world. This wave includes bands such as Make Them Suffer, Thy Art Is Murder, Upon A Burning Body, and Silent Screams. 

   For a Deathcore band, these guys really do stand out from the crowd. Like with all good bands worth their stripes, the gain is cranked up and the growls are brutal. This band is sure to send the crowd away with some serious whiplash and the inevitable bang-over the following morning.

   For prof of this and to attempt to prepare for their Download set, be sure to check out songs such as; "Assume The Worst", "Til There's Nothing Left" and "No Goodbyes".

2: Heart Of A Coward

Saturday 15th, Pepsi Max Stage

  

   Heart Of A Coward are on the front line of the new wave of Deathcore bands. They are also flying the flag for young British bands. This is a scene that is forever growing with new bands that have such immense potential to eventually rival the titans of Metal. But Slipknot and Slayer aren't going to be shaking in their boots just yet. Although Heart Of A Coward aren't in any position to contest the titans thrones just yet, they are quickly on the rise. 

   Their Download set will be an amazing event to witness and shouldn't be missed. With Ex Sylosis front man Jamie Graham at the helm, they are surely set to sail for stardom. Anyone who has heard any of Sylosis early work will know just how brutal this band is going to be.

   Be sure to prepare yourself for Download by checking out; "Killing Fields" and "All Eyes To The Sky". 

3:Huntress

Sunday 16th, Red Bull Stage

    No matter how you try to cover it up or disguise it. There IS a lack female fronted bands in Metal. Evanescence maybe the stereotypical view of a female fronted Metal band, but that isn't the real picture. No-one can deny that Evanescence are both very successful and more importantly, Metal. But not all female singers take the expected approach of long, drawn out, wailing choruses and high pitched breakdowns. Some Females such as Arch Enemy's Angela Gossow and Huntress's Jill Janus, take an entirely different approach. Jill's vocals are a mixture of high screams, guttural roars and rough growls. This unusual approach pays off nicely and will surely make a live performance that is well worth witnessing.                                  
   Songs such as; "Spell Eater" and "Snow witch", demonstrate this unique vocal style perfectly. So be prepared for a full on, Thrash infused Death Metal live performance well worth a watch.

4: Newsted

Sunday 16th, Pepsi max stage

   What could possibly be better than seeing the man who used to reside within the Metal fortress that is Metallica, step out and create a new band? A Heavy band. A Band so Heavy that their debut work fell down to Earth in the form of an EP simply titled, "Metal". The title tells you all you need to know. 

   Despite once being Metallica's bassist during what was arguably the end of their great Thrash era, there isn't very much trace of those Metallica sounds in Newsted. "Metal" is in fact an amazing EP well worth hearing. Upon hearing the EP it does leave a looming question in your mind, "How awesome would this stuff be live?". Well have no fear! Newsted will be playing Download Festival this June, and they will be force feeding you all the "Metal" you can handle.

   So whether your a Metallica fan that cried yourself to sleep when Jason left the band, or a fan of his latest and greatest venture, You are guaranteed a great show. So if your can't wait to see Jason Newsted again at Download, try to calm yourself by listening to brilliant songs such as "Soldierhead" and "Godsnake".

5: HELLYEAH

Sunday, Second Stage

   Not only is Hellyeah's "Band Of Brothers" the perfect sound track for an all out car chase and shoot out across Texas, but is also one of the best albums of 2012. Some people may point out that "Band Of Brothers" is an expected achievement for the Hellyeah super group, but that's not the point. With Mudvayne's Chad Grey on vocals and Pantera's legendary drummer Vinnie Paul behind the kit, expectations are going to be high. 

   So Hellyeah may have at least one superb album, but how do they do on stage? Anyone who was lucky enough to catch Hellyeah on tour in the UK with Stone Sour and Avenged Sevenfold a few years ago, will already know what an energetic and impressive live show these guys are capable of. So why should you choose to watch Hellyeah at Download this summer over the other bands playing at the same time? Well there are a few very good reasons as to why you should. Firstly, Hellyeah kick arse. Their Groove infused Thrash is packed with fast, sharp riffs and exceptional screamed vocals. Secondly, You'll get a chance to see a genuine legand, Vinnie Paul smashing away from his Throne behind the drum kit. Thirdly, this Texan crew are bound to be bringing some Southern sun and heat over our way (hopefully), or at least the mosh pit will be generating some serious heat. 

   Still not convinced? Well tracks like "War In Me" and "Bigger God" will have to do the rest of the talking.

Thanks for reading! \m/

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